Babcock SAA receives air ambulance contract

Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance (SAA) has received a contract worth £34 million to operate a patient transfer service in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company announced on 21 December.

The contract will run for four years, with options for two year extensions.

Under the contract, Babcock SAA will operate a specially-configured AW169 helicopter from a new base in Gothenburg. The flight service will start in 2018 when the operation gets transferred from the current in-house provider.

Marius Hansen, managing director of Babcock SAA, said: ‘The contract will see Babcock operate an AW169 helicopter from a base in Gothenburg, giving thousands of patients across the area vital access to swift and safe transport direct to the specialist healthcare centre they require.

‘The new helicopter - the fifth of this model will operate in Sweden, carry trained medical staff and will be equipped with the latest on-board technologies, ensuring patients receive the right level of specialist in-flight care.’